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NIN-SIM Linkage: Protest Not Why MTN, Glo, Airtel and 9mobile Bar Subscribers’ Lines

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Telecommunication operators in Nigeria, particularly MTN, Globacom, Airtel and 9mobile have started barring subscribers’ lines.

Investigation on Sunday shows that the telcos’ actions are based on the disconnection timelines set by the industry regulator to bar subscribers who are yet to link a national identification number (NIN) to their Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card(s).

Result of the investigation is contrary to the claims in some quarters that the telcos are barring subscribers’ lines as part of government’s agenda to scuttle the proposed national protests.

The history of NIN-SIM linkage dates back to 2020

You would recall that mobile networks based on a December 2023 directive from the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) had barred subscribers who had not submitted their NINs for verification as of February 28, 2024.

In addition, a second set of subscribers with five or more SIM whose NINs failed verification were also fully barred on March 29, 2024.

There have been several deadlines given in the past on the cut-off date for SIM cards not linked to NINs, the last deadline for July 31, 2024 was planned to be definitive as shown from the strict adherence to the previous deadlines in February and March this year. This decision was reached long before the planned protests.

The telecom regulator had embraced a phased SIM barring approach, as the directive for disconnection is being rolled out in stages.

The compulsory NIN-SIM linkage began in December 2020 when the government directed telecommunication companies to block calls from unregistered SIM cards and SIMs that are not linked to NIN.

Despite the extension of deadlines, many phone lines are yet to be linked with verified NINs.

Three years later, the issue of SIM-NIN linkage continues to have hitches, especially from the behavioural side of telecom consumers.

The Commission had set April 15, 2024, for the full network barring of the subscribers with four or fewer SIMs with unverified NIN details.

This deadline was moved by NCC to July 31, 2024, to give telecommunications consumers more time to ensure their submitted NIN details are properly verified.

The date of July 31, 2024, was set as the last date since April in well-publicised news and notices by the NCC.

Why NCC insists on NIN-SIM linkage

The NCC’s seemingly hard-line position hinged on its objective to clean the country’s SIM ownership database and enhance national security.

At a forum in Lagos, long before the planned nationwide protests, Dr. Aminu Maida, the executive vice chairman of NCC, expressed NCC’s commitment to ensuring that criminals do not take advantage of having multiple unlinked SIMs to carry out their nefarious activities.

Not linked to Planned National Protests

A source at the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, disagreed with social media users who accused the telcos of being used by the government to scuttle the planned national protests.

“This accusation about MTN or others barring people from its network is unfair, mischievous, and dangerous.

“Other networks have been disconnecting subscribers based on the extant policy in this regard. Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile, Smile Communications, VDT, etc., have been disconnecting non-compliant consumers, long before planned protests”.

“The NCC is considering extending the deadline against its wish, but that idea also came long before the scheduled protests.

“Nigerians need to demonstrate that they can reason and recall incidents and social issues and not allow themselves to be misled by those who are bent on bringing Nigeria down.


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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How Recycled SIM Card Linked to N50m Kidnapping Nearly Landed me in Jail – Businesswoman

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Titilayo Ibrahim, Nigerian businesswoman, has shared a harrowing experience of how she narrowly escaped imprisonment after a SIM card she purchased was linked to a N50 million kidnapping and murder case.

How Recycled SIM Card Linked to N50m Kidnapping Nearly Landed me in Jail - Businesswoman

In an interview with BBC Yoruba shared on Facebook, Ibrahim narrated how a routine business transaction quickly turned into a terrifying ordeal.

According to her, the nightmare began on October 16, 2025, when a purported customer contacted her business line to purchase nightwear.

The caller, a woman, claimed her own phone was faulty and that she was using her husband’s device.

After selecting two pieces, the woman asked for directions for pickup. Ibrahim shared the location of her estate junction, but upon arrival, she was met by two men who identified themselves as police officers and immediately arrested her.

The officers accused Ibrahim of being connected to a major kidnapping operation.

They alleged that the phone number she was using had been involved in a January 2024 incident where a N50 million ransom was collected before the victim was brutally murdered.

Ibrahim desperately tried to explain that the number was innocent, stating that she had only purchased the SIM card in April 2025—months after the crime took place—and used it strictly for her MiFi device.

The officers, reportedly led by Inspector Dauda Adamu of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja, claimed that one of the phone numbers linked to her National Identification Number (NIN) was tied to the crime.

They took her to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, and she faced intense harassment and the threat of being detained in Akure and transferred to Abuja.

In a bid to clear her name, Ibrahim and the officers visited an Airtel office.

On October 17, 2025, the telecommunications company officially confirmed from their records that the disputed SIM was indeed purchased and activated in April 2025.

“Even after confirming it at the network office, they still didn’t believe me. They harassed me and almost sent me to prison for what I know nothing about,” Ibrahim recounted.

Despite the undeniable evidence from the network provider clearing her of any involvement, the police still confiscated her phones, took them to Abuja, and instructed her to report there.

Her revelation has sparked widespread outrage and concern online.

Many Nigerians expressed shock at the incident, pointing out the growing dangers and security risks associated with telecommunication companies recycling inactive phone numbers or the hazards of inadvertently purchasing pre-registered SIM cards.

The incident highlights the terrifying reality of how easily innocent citizens can become entangled in complex criminal investigations.


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Ouranos Technologies Strengthens Board with Key Leadership Appointments

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Ouranos Technologies Limited has announced the appointment of Mr. Tajudeen Ahmed as Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective 1 January 2026.

Ouranos Technologies Strengthens Board with Key Leadership Appointments

Ouranos Technologies is an enterprise technology solutions integrator, managed services provider, and innovation lab in West Africa, specialising in IT infrastructure, networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital transformation solutions for organisations across banking and financial services, telecommunications, energy, manufacturing, and the public sector.

Commenting on the appointments, Mr. Mfon Okon, Managing Director of Ouranos Technologies Limited, also confirmed the appointment of Mrs. Omokunbi Adeoti and Mr. Olalekan Olabode as Non-Executive Directors, further strengthening the Board’s strategic oversight as the company continues its regional expansion and technology leadership.

These appointments mark a significant milestone in the governance evolution of Ouranos Technologies, as it deepens its focus on enterprise technology delivery, cybersecurity innovation, and strategic partnerships across Africa.

Strengthening Governance for the Next Phase of Growth

Mr. Tajudeen Ahmed brings over 25 years of leadership experience spanning consulting, banking, manufacturing, capital markets, and large-scale corporate strategy execution.

He holds a BSc. in Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he graduated as Best Student in both the Department and Faculty, and an MBA, with Distinction, from the University of Leeds, United Kingdom.

A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), Mr. Ahmed has held senior leadership roles across several prominent institutions including Arthur Andersen / KPMG, Zenith Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc, Variant Advisory Limited, and BUA Group, where he served as General Manager / Group Head, Business Development. During his tenure at BUA Group, he played a key role in the listing of BUA Foods Plc on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) and in securing regulatory approvals for the Bundu Free Trade Zone in Port Harcourt.

He holds Fellowships of other reputable institutions, including National Institute of Credit Administration (FICA), Enterprise Risk Management Professionals (FERP), and Nigerian Leadership Initiative (FNLI); as well as memberships of the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria (M.CIoD), Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (ACIB and HCIB), and Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ACIS). He currently serves on the Board of the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN).

Mr. Ahmed currently serves as Associate Director (Deal Origination) at Lead Capital Plc, where he continues to drive strategic business growth.

Experienced Leaders Join the Board

Joining the Board as Non-Executive Director, Mrs. Omokunbi Adeoti brings over 24 years of leadership experience in human capital strategy, governance, organisational transformation, and customer experience across Sub-Saharan Africa.

She currently serves as Chief People Experience Officer at Leadway Group, where she provides strategic oversight for human capital and customer experience across 11 business entities and over 4,000 employees (FTE & non-FTE) spanning insurance, pensions, health, hospitality, and asset management operations.

Mrs. Adeoti has led large-scale transformation initiatives including enterprise restructuring, HR digitisation, and group-wide customer experience optimisation, driving measurable improvements in organisational performance, employee productivity, and customer engagement.

She has also played a key role in mergers and integration programmes, as well as the deployment of enterprise HR systems, enabling operational efficiency and scalability across the Group.

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (FCIPM), Mrs. Adeoti is a member of several global professional bodies, including the HR Forbes Council and the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN). She has received multiple recognitions for her leadership impact, including Peak Performing Woman of the Year (2023 and 2024).

Also joining the Board is Mr. Olalekan Olabode, a seasoned finance and operations executive with over 18 years of multinational experience in financial management, strategic planning, and operational oversight across complex, capital-intensive industries.

Mr. Olabode is a distinguished Finance Executive with over 21 years of leadership at the intersection of maritime logistics, global supply chain, and corporate finance. He has held senior executive roles at prominent logistics operators where he built a reputation for turning financial complexity into strategic advantage.

He has a proven history of making high-stakes treasury decisions under pressure navigating foreign exchange volatility, managing interest rate exposure, and manoeuvring one of the most challenging currency environments in Africa.

His governance frameworks are not simply compliance exercises; they are systems architected for resilience, built on rigorous internal controls that protect value and enable bold decision-making.

What distinguishes Olalekan is his rare ability to align financial performance with long-term strategic intent translating numbers into narratives that drive boardroom conviction and organizational momentum.

He builds teams that outlast his tenure, embedding structures, accountability, and a culture of excellence that compounds over time. His investment in mentorship has produced measurable leadership depth across every organization he has led.

A Fellow of the ACCA (UK), Certified Supply Chain Professional, and Executive MBA candidate at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Olalekan brings both the technical mastery and the executive presence to lead at the highest levels.

Corporate Governance and Legal Advisory

Supporting the Board’s governance structure is Ms. Margaret Akpoyoware (ACIS), who serves as Company Secretary.

A seasoned legal practitioner with extensive experience in corporate advisory, commercial transactions, litigation, and regulatory compliance, she previously practised with Chief Rotimi Williams Chambers and Olajide Oyewole & Co. before founding Nero’s Practice, a multidisciplinary law firm providing legal advisory services to corporate and institutional clients.

Ouranos Technologies to Drive Africa’s Digital Transformation

“The appointment of Mr. Tajudeen Ahmed as Chairman, alongside the addition of accomplished professionals such as Mrs. Omokunbi Adeoti and Mr. Olalekan Olabode to our Board, represents an important step in strengthening the governance and strategic leadership of Ouranos Technologies,” Mr Okon, Managing Director of Ouranos Technologies Limited, added.

“As organisations across Africa accelerate their digital transformation journeys, strong governance, strategic insight, and operational discipline become even more critical.

“The depth of experience our new Board members bring will support Ouranos Technologies in delivering innovative, secure, and scalable technology solutions for our customers across the region,” Mr Okon said.

The strengthened Board reflects Ouranos Technologies’ commitment to strong corporate governance, innovation, and sustainable growth.

With operations spanning Nigeria and other West African markets, Ouranos Technologies operates as an enterprise technology solutions integrator, managed services provider, and innovation lab, delivering solutions across IT infrastructure, networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation for organisations across banking and financial services, telecommunications, energy, manufacturing, and the public sector.

 


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Truecaller Hits 500m Users Milestone – Sets New Global Standard for Trusted Communication

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Truecaller, the leading global platform for safe and trusted communication, today announced that it has surpassed 500 million users worldwide, marking a significant milestone in the company’s mission to build trust in communication.

Truecaller Hits 500M Users Milestone – Sets a New Global Standard for Trusted Communication

Truecaller

The platform continues to see significant user growth, adding over 50 million users in 2025, and has surpassed 150 million users outside of India as demand for protection against spam, scam and unwanted communication continues to grow globally.

Truecaller also crossed 4 million paying subscribers globally earlier in the year, further strengthening one of its key revenue streams.

Crossing the 500 million mark underscores how trust has become one of the most essential layers in digital communication today.

“This is an important milestone for us, but it also says something bigger about the world we live in,” said Rishit Jhunjhunwala, CEO of Truecaller.

“More and more people need help navigating spam, scams, and unwanted communication every day. Reaching 500 million users shows the scale of that need, and the trust people place in Truecaller to help make communication safer.

“Our commitment remains focused on continuously strengthening Truecaller with smarter technology and new capabilities that protect users before, during, and after every call or message.

“Ultimately, our aim is to build a safer, more trusted communication ecosystem for everyone. We now have our sights set on the next milestone: 1 Billion users.”

With half a billion people using the platform every month, Truecaller has evolved beyond just Caller ID. It has become an essential part of how communication works safely in the digital age; a daily-use trust layer that helps people verify identities, avoid fraud, and make informed decisions about who they interact with.

Today, Truecaller operates as a global digital utility platform, embedded into everyday communication habits for hundreds of millions of people. From identifying unknown callers to preventing fraud and enabling safer messaging, the platform has become a habitual, daily-use service that supports safer interactions across the phone ecosystem.

Despite serving more than half a billion users globally, the company remains relatively lean, with a team of approximately 470 employees building and operating the platform for users around the world.

The company will continue to report the average number of monthly and daily active users on a quarterly basis in connection with its interim financial reports


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